Widespread praise for mental health package

The mental health package aims to provide more intensive and better coordinated services.

sanja gjenero, file photo: www.sxc.hu

The Government has been widely praised for committing an extra $1.5 billion for mental health services in Tuesday night's federal budget.

Under pressure to deliver from health experts, Treasurer Wayne Swan says a total $2.2 billion package will include $571 million for the severely mentally ill, $419 million for intervention for young people and $220 million for primary care.

John Mendoza, who resigned last year as chairman of the Government's mental health advisory council after criticising it for a "lack of vision and commitment", has welcomed the budget promise.

"I commend the Government for responding to not just the concerns of a few vocal advocates, but really the concerns across the Australian community," he said.

"... we have left many people with mental illness and their families sitting on the sidelines while many of us enjoyed over the past decade or more, the fruits of our nation's prosperity."

Professor Mendoza says he also welcomes the design of the package, which also provides employment services for people with a mental illness.

"It's certainly a challenge for people with mental illness to gain and retain employment, and there are a number of initiatives there to achieve that end," he said.

"There are also initiatives in the schools area to support children with developmental and learning difficulties that manifest in later adolescence and adulthood.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott tried to steal a march on the Government last month by announcing he would provide $430 million for a back-to-work program on top of the $1.5 billion package for extra mental health beds and centres he took to the last election.

While Prime Minister Julia Gillard had promised to act on mental health during this term in government, some mental health advocates were fearful it would not flow for years.

Under the additional $1.5 billion allocated in the budget, $47.3 million will be spent in 2011-12 and will grow to $210 million in 2012-13 and reach $490.9 million in 2015-16.

Professor Mendoza says he is comfortable with how the funding has been structured.

"I guess there has to be a balance between responding to these needs quickly, but we also have to recognise that some of these programs will require some further development in terms of details," he said.

"On balance, I think the amount of money flowing in the first year is adequate and scales up at a realistic rate over the five years."

Dignity

Monsignor David Cappo, vice chairman of the Australian Social Inclusion Board, says the key breakthrough is integrating mental health clinical services with community services including education, employment and housing.

"All around the country, in urban and rural Australia, people are saying, 'please integrate your services with mental health so we can live dignified lives'."

National Farmers Federation president Jock Laurie says he gives credit to the Government for a "true commitment" to deal with the issue.

"Our sector, as much as any other sector across the economy or the community, has been dealt a pretty solid blow in the last 10 years in regard to the drought, and our mental health issues have been quite frightening," he said.

"We know there have been a hell of a lot of people supported and helped throughout that period because of the rather nasty pressures - weather pressures, financial pressure and emotional pressures - that people have been under.

"[This] will be of tremendous benefit."

Coordinated care

To help pay for the measure, the Medicare rebate for GP mental health plans will be cut and the number of Medicare-funded psychologist visits reduced, saving $300 million.

The Government says its measures will allow the 24,000 Australians with a severe or persistent mental illness to be able to access properly coordinated care and support.

Medicare Locals or large non-government groups will be responsible for coordinating services.

The expansion of other programs is expected to offer support for an extra 18,000 people and provide for personal helpers and mentors.

An additional 30 headspace centres for young people will be created, bringing the total number to 90.

The Government says it will also seek matching contributions from state and territory governments for extra Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention (EPPIC) centres, a program pioneered by former Australian of the Year, Professor Patrick McGorry.